Kouame, Diouf rekindle rivalry

Former University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Players Ange Kouame and Malick Diouf can’t wait to renew their rivalry when they clash at the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship in the United Arab Emirates.

Kouame, a three-time UAAP champion with Ateneo de Manila University, said he couldn’t wait to face Diouf, who played for the University of the Philippines (UP) and currently playing for the Zamboanga Valientes, again on the hard court.

Kouame and Diouf faced each other twice in the UAAP finals in 2022 in Seasons 84 and 85.

Diouf helped UP clinch its first UAAP title since 1986 in Season 84 before Kouame and the Blue Eagles got payback by winning the Season 85 crown at their expense a few months later.

Still, Kouame, who will be playing for Strong Group Athletics, stressed that all that matters in the end is both of them are representing the Philippines, the country they have called home in recent years.

“See, I didn’t even know. You don’t want to tell me. It’s going to be fun,” Kouame said.

“I’ll be happy for him to be able to play again, especially for the team. I mean, both of us are trying to represent the country. So I’m happy for him.”

“I can’t wait to face him.”

Strong Group is in Group A with Amman United of Jordan, Beirut Club of Lebanon, home bet Al Nasr and the United Arab Emirates national team.

The Frank Lao-backed squad will also have National Basketball Association (NBA) veterans DeMarcus Cousins, Malachi Richardson and Andray Blatche along with the local crew of Rhenz Abando, Dave Ildefonso, Chris Koon, Mikey Williams, Jason Brickman, Ange Kouame, Liwag, Tony Ynot, Justine Sanchez and National Collegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Player Allen Liwag.

In Group B, the Valientes will face home bet Sharjah SC, the Tunisia National Team, Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya and Lebanese club Sagesse SC.

The top four teams will advance to the playoffs where all games from there will be knockout games.

Strong Group and Zamboanga could meet as early as the quarterfinal but if Diouf would have his way, he would like to meet Kouame again in the championship round.

The Valientes will be led by NBA veteran Adonis Thomas along with locals Ken Holmqvist and Zamboanga mainstay Mike Tolomia with University of Santo Tomas stars Forthsky Padrigao and Nic Cabañero providing the scoring punches.

One-time San Miguel Beerman Kyt Jimenez is also in the roster as well as Job Alcantara, Rudy Lingganay, Denver Cadiz, Rashawn McCarthy and Prince Caperal.

“Hopefully we meet since we are not in the same bracket. If both teams do well, we could meet in the finals and that will be good,” Diouf said.

“He (Kouame) was doing good in the UAAP and when we meet, I think it’s going to be the same.”